Synonyms of canon

canon 1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈka-nən 

1

as in doctrine

a statement or body of statements concerning faith or morals proclaimed by a church

members of the church must abide by its canons

Synonyms & Similar Words

• doctrine
• theology
• principle
• dogma
• creed
• philosophy
• canon law
• belief
• ideology
• tenet
• axiom
• precept
• conviction
• idealogy
• symbol
• credo

2

as in list

a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system

the canon of plays that are attributed to William Shakespeare

Synonyms & Similar Words

• list
• listing
• catalogue
• catalog
• chronology
• registry
• roster
• directory
• roll
• roll call
• register
• schedule
• checklist
• bibliography
• menu
• index
• table
• compilation
• compendium
• agenda
• payroll
• inventory
• docket
• glossary
• enumeration
• calendar
• catalogue raisonné
• timetable
• manifest

3

as in law

a collection or system of rules of conduct

the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility is a lawyer's canon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• law
• constitution
• code
• decalogue
• legislation
• discipline
• common law
• establishment

canyon

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈkan-yən 

variants also cañon

as in ravine

a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage

as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ravine
• gorge
• valley
• crevice
• gulch
• gap
• saddle
• abyss
• col
• flume
• trench
• fissure
• defile
• pass
• couloir
• notch
• kloof
• gill
• gulf
• linn
• chasm
• crevasse
• cleft
• basin
• glen
• vale
• dale
• cirque
• gully
• hollow
• arroyo
• gutter
• coulee
• floodplain
• dell
• gulley
• coombe
• combe
• wadi
• kettle
• coomb
• cwm
• barranca
• barranco
• trough
• wash
• shut-in
• nullah
• draw

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of canon

Noun

And as the age of I.P. rages on, are audiences learning to pick and choose what is and isn’t canon? —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2025

Although Gunn is working on rebooting the DC Universe, aspects of The Suicide Squad have become canon in the new universe, with John Cena’s Peacemaker’s story continuing in his HBO series. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025

Noun

There were more creeks, high hills, big parks, passes, and open mountainsides with broken, timbered canyons and gulches. —Fred C. Mercer, Outdoor Life, 14 Aug. 2025

Training will be held in the canyon off La Jolla Shores. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025